Method of providing a lubrication system

ABSTRACT

A method of providing a lubrication system for a shaft journaled in a dynamoelectric machine. In this method, the shaft is lubricated with a solid lubricant of a feeder wick member impregnated therewith during at least a part of the run-in operation of the dynamoelectric machine when it is first energized. A mixture of a lubricating oil and the solid lubricant is then created to effect the lubrication of the shaft by passing the lubricating oil from a storage wick material therefor through the feeder wick member in response to the rotation of the shaft when the dynamoelectric machine is energized.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 294,748 filedAug. 20, 1981, now U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 4,409,714 which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to electrical apparatus and inparticular to a method of providing a lubrication system for adynamoelectric machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, various different lubrication and bearing systems have beenemployed in dynamoelectric machines. In at least some of these pastsystems, an alignable or self-aligning bearing was associated in seatingengagement with a dynamoelectric machine structural component, such asan end shield or the like for instance, and such bearing was adjustablyseated in different aligning attitudes on the end shield while alsoarranged in journaling relation with a rotatable assembly of thedynamoelectric machine. These past bearings and end shields wereprovided with at least partial spherical seating surfaces which weremated together in spherical surface-to-surface seating engagement. It isbelieved that one of the disadvantageous or undesirable features of theabove discussed past systems was the necessity of precision machiningboth of the at least partial spherical surfaces of the bearing and theend shield within restrictive tolerances in order to obtain theaforementioned spherical surface-to-surface fit in seating engagementtherebetween, and of course, it is also believed that such necessaryprecision machining to both mating at least partial spherical surfacesresulted in an ancillary disadvantageous or undesirable feature, i.e.one of uneconomical manufacture. For instance, when sphericalsurface-to-surface seating engagement is employed, as discussed above,it is necessary that the at least partial spherical seating surface onthe bearing is dimensionally greater than that on the end shield inorder to insure the spherical surface-to-surface fit in seatingengagement therebetween. Due to this dimensional difference, it isnecessary to utilize a wear-in operation wherein the partial sphericalseating surface on the bearing is oscillated with a preselected forcethereon within the mating partial spherical seating surface in the endshield until the desired spherical surface-to-surface fit in seatingengagement is attained therebetween. Thus, it is also believed that theabove discussed wearing-in operation is a disadvantageous or undesirablefeature which adds cost to the manufacture of a dynamoelectric machine.Further and due to the spherical surface-to-surface fit in seatingengagement discussed above, it is believed that another disadvantageousor undesirable feature of the aforementioned past systems was that atleast some thereof encountered low wear resistance and/or high breakawayfriction unless, of course, some critical bearing material was utilizedto at least in part alleviate such disadvantageous feature; however, inthe event such critical bearing material was employed, then it is alsobelieved that an ancillary disadvantageous or undesirable feature wasencountered, i.e. the relatively higher cost involved in utilizing suchcritical bearing material.

In the usual past lubrication and bearing system, a lubricating oil wascirculated through the lubrication system to effect the lubrication of adynamoelectric machine shaft rotatably journaled in the bearing. In someothers of the past lubrication and bearing systems, a solid additive,such as for instance graphite particles or molysulfide particles or thelike, were premixed with the lubricating oil to enhance the lubricityproperties thereof. However, another disadvantageous or undesirablefeature of the past system employing the premixture of lubricating oiland the solid additive was that such premixture was difficult to utilizewithin good manufacturing practices. For instance, since the presence ofthe additive in the premixture is believed to make such premixturedirtier or messier than a plain lubricating oil, any of such premixtureescaping from a machine utilized to inject it into the lubricationsystem of the dynamoelectric machine and/or escaping from suchlubrication system during such injection eventually gets on theoperator's hands and/or clothing and is difficult to cleanse therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted theprovision of an improved method of providing a lubrication system for adynamoelectric machine which at least in part overcomes the abovediscussed disadvantageous or undesirable features, as well as others, ofthe prior art; the provision of such improved method in which a wickthereof is impregnated with a solid lubricant which is released into alubrication oil flowed through the lubricating system only when thedynamoelectric machine is energized; the provision of such improvedmethod in which only the solid lubricant of the wick lubricates a shaftof the dynamoelectric machine during a run-in operation thereof when thedynamoelectric machine is first energized; and the provision of suchimproved methods having component parts utilized therein which aresimplistic in design, economically manufactured, and easily assembled.These as well as other objects and advantageous features of the presentinvention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In general and in one form of the invention, there is illustrated amethod of providing a lubrication system for a shaft of a dynamoelectricmachine to assure adequate shaft lubrication particularly during arun-in operation of the dynamoelectric machine when it is firstenergized and with the dynamoelectric machine having means forjournaling the shaft. In this method, the shaft is lubricated only witha solid lubricant of a feeder wick member impregnated therewith duringat least a part of the run-in operation of the dynamoelectric machinewhen it is first energized. A mixture of a lubricating oil and the solidlubricant is created to effect the lubrication of the shaft by passingthe lubricating oil from a storage wick material therefor through thefeeder wick member in response to the rotation of the shaft in thejournaling means when the dynamoelectric machine is energized, and themixture is circulated through the lubrication system to effectcontinuing lubrication of the shaft during the energization of thedynamoelectric machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating in cross-section adynamoelectric machine;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken from FIG. 1 illustratingprinciples which may be practiced in a method of providing a lubricationsystem for the dynamoelectric machine in one form of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric exploded view of the component partsshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an isolated view of a bearing device taken from FIG. 1illustrated in cross-section;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are left and right end elevational views of the bearingdevice of FIG. 4, respectively;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams illustrating the preselectedangular range of the seating engagement between the bearing device andseat provided therefor on a structural component of the dynamoelectricmachine, respectively;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged isolated view of a thrust assembly taken from FIG.1 showing such thrust assembly in cross-section;

FIG. 10 is a left side elevational view of the thrust assembly of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of an alternative bearing device whichmay be utilized in the dynamoelectric machine of FIG. 1 in place of thebearing device thereof;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are left and right side elevational views of the bearingdevice of FIG. 11, respectively;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a wick adapted for use with the bearingdevice of FIG. 11 in a wick and bearing assembly;

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are partial sectional views of the bearing device ofFIG. 11 and the wick of FIG. 15 illustrating principles which may bepracticed in a method of assembling a wick and bearing;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view illustrating the assembly of the bearingdevice of FIG. 11 and the wick of FIG. 15 in the dynamoelectric machineof FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a top elevational view of another alternative bearing device;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are left and right sides elevational views of thebearing device of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23--23 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a wick adapted for use with the bearingdevice of FIG. 20 in a wick and bearing assembly;

FIGS. 25, 27 and 29 are elevational views of the bearing device of FIG.20 and the wick of FIG. 24 respectively illustrating principles whichmay be practiced in a method of assembling a wick and bearing;

FIGS. 26, 28 and 30 are sectional views taken along lines 26--16, 28--28and 30--30 in FIGS. 25, 27 and 29, respectively; and

FIG. 31 is a sectional view illustrating the assembly of the bearingdevice of FIG. 20 and the wick of FIG. 24 in the dynamoelectric machineof FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

The exemplifications set out herein illustrate the preferred embodimentsof the invention in one form thereof, and such exemplifications are notto be construed as limiting in any manner the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in general, a bearing or bearing device 41is adapted for use in a dynamoelectric machine 43 (FIGS. 1-6). Bearingdevice 41 has a body or bearing body 45 with a pair of generally annularradially extending opposite ends or end portions 47, 49, and a bore orgenerally cylindric journaling surface 51 extends generally axiallythrough the bearing body intersecting with the opposite ends thereof,said bore being generally coaxial about an axis 53 of the bearing body(FIG. 4). A peripheral portion, indicated generally at 55, on bearingbody 45 radially outwardly of bore 51 is interposed between oppositeends 47, 49 so as to be generally coaxially arranged about bearing bodyaxis 53, and the peripheral portion includes a partial toroidal surface57 spaced apart from the opposite ends and also generally coaxial aboutthe bearing body axis (FIGS. 4-6). Slot means, such as an axial slot 59for instance, is provided in bearing body 45 for intersecting with bore51, opposite ends 47, 49 thereof and at least a part of peripheralportion 55, and a bridge or bridging means 61 integral with theperipheral portion spans the slot while extending generally axiallyalong at least a part of toroidal surface 57 (FIG. 4).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 4-6, peripheralportion 55 of bearing body 45 further includes a pair of opposite,generally cylindric end surfaces 63, 65 intersecting with opposite ends47, 49 of the bearing body and spaced radially outwardly of bore 51generally coaxially about bearing body axis 53, and cylindric endsurface 63 has an axial extent greater than that of cylindric endsurface 65. Another or an intermediate generally cylindric surface 67 isalso provided on peripheral portion 55 of bearing body 45 generallycoaxially about bearing body axis 53 and spaced radially outwardlyfarther than cylindric end surfaces 63, 65 and partial toroidal surface57, and a pair of generally annular or radially extending marginalsurfaces 69, 71 define the axial extent of the cylindric intermediatesurface intersecting therewith and with partial toroidal surface 57 andcylindric end surface 65, respectively. It may be noted that surface 71is a spherical surface having generally the same centerpoint as aspherical seat in the end shield in which the bearing 41 is received, asdiscussed in greater detail hereinafter. Thus, partial toroidal surface57 is both axially and radially spaced between cylindric intermediatesurface 67 and cylindric end surface 63 on peripheral portion 55 ofbearing body 45. Slot 59 is provided to receive a wick member or feeder73, as discussed in greater detail hereinafter and as shown in FIGS. 2and 3, and the slot extends generally axially in bearing body 45intersecting with bore 51 and opposite ends 47, 49 thereof,respectively. It is believed that the radial depth of slot 59 should bekept to a minimum in order to maximize stiffness of bearing 41 in aradial direction. The depth of slot 59 selected or desired is believedto be that which maintains an acceptable range of contact or wipingpressure between feeder wick 73 and a shaft in wiping engagementtherewith over a tolerance range of the wick and slot radial tolerances.It may also be noted that slot 59 also extends generally radiallythrough bearing body 45 so as to intersect with opposite end surface 65,intermediate surface 67 and spherical marginal surface 71 adjacent oneaxial side of bridge 61 and with opposite end surface 63 adjacent theother axial side of the bridge. Bridge 61 spans or extends across slot59 radially outwardly of bore 51 in bearing body 45 so as to form astiffening rib or the like for instance thereacross, and a pair ofopposite abutments or gimbaling surfaces 75, 77 are provided on thebridge so as to be spaced from each other generally about bearing bodyaxis 53. It may be noted that a portion of bridge 61 may extend radiallyoutwardly beyond intermediate surface 67 of peripheral portion 55 onbearing body 45, and preferably the bridge extends axially from marginalsurface 69 across toroidal surface 57 and at least a part of end surface63; however, albeit not shown, it is contemplated that the axial extentof the bridge may be greater or less than that shown within the scope ofthe invention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof. It mayalso be noted that bearing body 45 of bearing device 41 is die cast orotherwise formed with only bore 51 being necessarily finished ormachined.

With reference again in general to the drawings and recapitulating atleast in part with respect to the foregoing, there is illustrateddynamoelectric machine 43 which, of course, is adapted for energizationacross a power source (not shown), a structural component, such as anend shield 79 or the like for instance, of the dynamoelectric machineincludes a socket defined by partial spherical surface or seatingsurface 81 having a preselected radius of curvature 83 defining apreselected center of curvature 85 thereof (FIGS. 1-3, 7 and 8). Bearingdevice 41 is adapted for association in a plurality of aligned orgimbaled attitudes with end shield 79, and partial toroidal surface orseating surface 57 of the bearing device is disposed in seatingengagement on partial spherical surface 81 of the end shield with theseating engagement therebetween defining at least a partial circularline of such engagement 87 located within a preselected angular range ofthe preselected radius 83 of the partial spherical surface in any of thealigned attitudes of the bearing device (FIGS. 7 and 8).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 1-3, 7 and 8,dynamoelectric machine 43 is provided with another opposite end shield79a generally of like configuration and having generally the samecomponent parts as end shield 79; therefore, for the purposes of brevityand drawing simplicity, only end shield 79 and its associatedlubrication and bearing system is discussed hereinafter. However, it iscontemplated that end shiled 79a, as well as its associated lubricationand bearing system, may be different than end shield 79 and itsassociated lubrication and bearing system within the scope of theinvention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof. Agenerally cylindric shell 89 or the like for instance is interposedbetween opposite end shields 79, 79a with the opposite end shields andcylindric shell generally defining a housing of dynamoelectric machine43; however, it is contemplated that such housing of the dynamoelectricmachine may have other forms or be of other configurations within thescope of the invention so as to meet at least some of the objectsthereof.

An opening or passage 91 or the like for instance having a preselectedaxis 93 is provided through end shield 79, and the opening includespartial spherical surface 81 which has its center of curvature 85coincidental with or laying on the axis of the opening. An axial grooveor groove means 95 in end shield 79 intersects with partial sphericalsurface 81 thereof (as best seen in FIG. 3), and such groove is adaptedto receive in rotation preventing and/or gimbaling engagement theopposite gimbaling surfaces on bridge 61 of bearing device 41, asdiscussed in greater detail hereinafter. A stator assembly 97 which may,if desired, comprise a plurality of stacked ferromagnetic laminations,is generally circumferentially encompassed by shell 89 of dynamoelectricmachine 43 and predeterminately spaced between opposite end shields 79,79a thereof, and such stator assembly includes a plurality of windingmeans, indicated generally at 99, which are adapted for excitation uponthe energization of the dynamoelectric machine across the power source(not shown). A rotatable assembly, indicated generally at 101, comprisesa shaft 103 having a squirrel cage rotor 105 or the like for instancemounted thereon so as to be conjointly rotatable with the shaft;however, it is contemplated that rotors other than of the squirrel cagetype may be utilized with shaft 103 of the rotatable assembly within thescope of the invention so as to meet at least some of the objectsthereof. Of course, rotor 105 of rotatable assembly 101 is arranged orotherwise associated in magnetic coupling relation with stator assembly97 upon the energization of dynamoelectric machine 43, and means, suchas bearing device 41 or the like for instance, is associated with endshield 79 and adjustably alignable in the aforementioned attitudeplurality thereof with respect to opening 89 for journaling a part, suchas shaft 103, of the rotatable assembly.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, it may be noted that partial toroidalsurface 57 has a preselected radius 107 defining a center of curvature109 thereof, and the center of curvature 109 of the partial toroidalsurface is coincidental with or lays on a radius line 111 which extendsbetween the center of curvature 85 of partial spherical surface 81 onend shield 79 and the circular line of engagement 87 defined between thepartial toroidal surface and the partial spherical surface when seatedtogether. Further, it may also be noted that the center of curvature 109of partial toroidal surface 57 is radially offset a preselected radialoffset distance 113 along radius line 111 from the center of curvature85 of partial spherical surface 81 within a preselected radial rangewhen the partial toroidal surface and the partial spherical surface areseated in the circular line of engagement 87 within the preselectedangular range of preselected radius 83 of the partial spherical surface.Of course, while the circular line of engagement 87 between partialtoroidal surface 57 and partial spherical surface 81 is at leasttheoretically attainable, it is contemplated that such engagement may,in fact, be in the form of a narrow, generally annular or circular bandof seating engagement within the scope of the invention so as to meet atleast some of the objects thereof. Furthermore, it may be noted that animaginary plane equidistant between the opposite ends of bore 51 inbearing 41 and perpendicular to axis 53 of the bore passes through thecircle of contact 87 between toroidal surface 57 of the bearing andpartial spherical surface 81 of end shield 79 so that the resultant ofall radial forces acting on bore 51 passes through circle of contact 87.If the resultant of all the radial forces did not pass through circle ofcontact 87, it is believed that any moment of such radial forces mightcause bearing 41 to realign its axis 53 with respect to the axis ofshaft 103 which may result in deleterious misalignment.

In order to accommodate all combinations of tolerances encountered withrespect to the preselected radius 107 of partial toroidal surface 57 onbearing device 41 and the preselected radius 83 of partial sphericalsurface 81 on end shield 79, the preselected radius 107 ispredeterminately less than the preselected radius 83. In other words,the ratio of the preselected radius 107 to the preselected radius 83must be less than one in order to ensure that partial toroidal surface57 on bearing device 41 can always be entered into partial sphericalsurface 81 on end shield 79 and also to ensure that the circular line ofengagement 87 therebetween is in the desired location, i.e. within thepreselected angular range of the preselected radius 83 on partialspherical surface 81, for all of the aforementioned combinations oftolerances. Further, it may be noted that the angular location of thecircular line of engagement 87 between partial toroidal surface 57 andpartial spherical surface 81 is maintained within reasonable limits inorder to ensure that the radial load or force Fr exerted on the bearingis as high as possible for a given retentive or spring force Fs onbearing device 41 so as to prevent radial movement of the partialtoroidal surface on the partial spherical surface, as discussed ingreater detail hereinafter.

As previously mentioned, one of the requirements with respect to thebearing and socket arrangement of dynamoelectric machine 43 is that thecircular line of engagement 87 between partial toroidal surface 57 andpartial spherical surface 81 must be located within a preselectedangular range of the preselected radius 83 for the partial sphericalsurface, and this relationship is expressed by the following equation:

    Rs Cos θ=Rb Cos θ+OR

where:

Rs=preselected radius 83;

Rb=preselected radius 107;

OR=preselected radial offset 113; and

θ=the angle of radius line 111.

Another requirement with respect to the bearing and socket arrangementof dynamoelectric machine 43 is that the preselected radius 83 ofpartial spherical surface 81 be greater than the preselected radius 107of partial toroidal surface 57. Therefore, in order to accommodate allcombinations of tolerances between such preselected radii 83, 107, theminimum preselected radius 83 of the partial spherical surface must begreater than the maximum preselected radius 107 of the partial toroidalsurface based, of course, on the tolerances encountered, as previouslymentioned. This requirement is expressed by the following equation:

    Rsmin.=Rbmax.+ORmax.+MRC

wherein:

Rs min.=preselected radius 83 at the minimum tolerance thereof;

Rb max.=preselected radius 107 at the maximum tolerance thereof;

OR max.=preselected radial offset 113 at the maximum tolerance thereof;and

MRC=minimum radial clearance between partial spherical surface 83 andpartial toroidal surface 107 at θ=0°

In an actual bearing and socket arrangement built and tested indynamoelectric machine 43, preselected radius 107 (Rb) was 0.38876inches with a tolerance of ±0.00025 inches, preselected radius 83 (Rs)was 0.55025 inches with a tolerance of ±0.00025 inches, and the ratio(Rb/Rs) therebetween was 0.705. Preselected radial offset 113 (OR) was0.15679 inches with a tolerance of ±0.003 inches, and the minimum radialclearance (MRC) was 0.0012 inches. While the foregoing values were thoseemployed for the above mentioned actual bearing and socket arrangementbuilt and tested in dynamoelectric machime 43, it is, of course,contemplated that various other values may be utilized in other bearingand socket arrangements of various sizes within the scope of theinvention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof. When theforegoing values were employed in the equations set out hereinabove, thepreselected angular range (θmin. and θmax.) for the above mentionedactual bearing and socket arrangement built and tested in dynamoelectricmachine 43 was found to be between about 7 degrees and about 18.3degrees; however, it is believed that such preselected angular rangepreferably could be between about 5 degrees and about 30 degrees withinthe scope of the invention so as to meet at least some of the objectsthereof.

Wick 73 may be formed of any desired lubricant impregnable or lubricanttransferring wick material, such as a wool, felt or the like forinstance, and the wick includes a body 115 having a generally elongatewiping section or portion 117 with a wiping surface 119 interposedbetween a pair of opposite ends or end portions 121, 123 thereof, and agenerally L-shaped placement or gripping section or arm 125 isintegrally formed with the wiping section between the opposite endsthereof with a part 127 of the gripping arm being arranged generally invertically spaced apart relation with the wiping section, as best seenin FIGS. 2 and 3. When assembled with body 45 of bearing device 41,wiping section 117 of the wick 73 is inserted or otherwise located inslot 59 of the bearing body so as to extend across the entire axialextent thereof, and at least opposite end 123 of the wiping sectionextends from the slot past opposite end portion 49 of the bearing whilewiping surface 119 is disposed at least adjacent bore 51 of the bearingbody for wiping engagement with shaft 103 of rotatable assembly 101 whenit is journaled in the bore. Of course, as wiping section 117 of wick 73is being assembled into bore 51 of bearing body 41, gripping arm part127 is passed or otherwise moved over bridge 61 of the bearing body intogripping or at least releasable securing engagement therewith.

With wick 73 and bearing 41 assembled together, the bearing is disposedin opening 91 of end shield 79 with partial toroidal surface 57 of thebearing seated against partial spherical surface 81 of the opening inthe manner discussed hereinabove and opposite gimbaling surfaces 75, 77on bridge 61 of the bearing are received in gimbaling and/or rotationpreventing engagement between opposite confronting sidewalls of axialgroove 95 in end shield 79. An oil well or reservoir cover 129 issecured to end shield 79 to in part enclose an inboard end of areservoir 131 provided generally about opening 91, and a spring 133 isbiased between the reservoir cover and spherical marginal surface 71 ofbearing 41 urging partial toroidal surface 57 thereof toward its seatingengagement with partial spherical surface 81 on the end shield. Theretentive or spring force Fs exerted by spring 133 on bearing 41 isgenerally axially directed having a magnitude of about forty pounds, andsuch spring force is in part determinative of the friction forcegenerated between partial toroidal surface 57 of the bearing and partialspherical surface 81 on end shield 79 in the seating engagement thereofwhich opposes aligning or adjusting movement of the bearing whenarranged in journaling engagement with shaft 103 of rotatable assembly101, as discussed hereinafter. While force Fs is illustrated as beingexerted by spring 133 on bearing 41 and having a magnitude of aboutforty pounds for purposes of disclosure, it is contemplated that otherarrangements may be employed to exert a seating force on the bearing andthat such seating force may be of a different magnitude within the scopeof the invention so as to meet at least some of the objects thereof. Itmay also be noted that spring 133 is engaged with feeder wick 73adjacent opposite end 123 thereof in order to insure contact of thisportion of the feeder wick at all times with shaft 103, and the portionof feeder wick 73 adjacent opposite end 121 thereof is urged into suchcontact with the shaft by the interfering fit thereof with bridge 61 forinstance.

A lubricant storage wick material 135 may be packed by an operator orotherwise placed or extruded by suitable means (not shown) intoreservoir 131 of end shield 79 so as to be associated in lubricanttransfer relation with arm part 125 of feeder wick 73 assembled withbearing 41 in the end shield, as discussed above. Lubricant storage wickmaterial 135 may be G. E. Lube available from the General ElectricCompany, Fort Wayne, Ind., and if a more detailed discussion of thelubricant storage wick material is desired, reference may be had to U.S.Pat. No. 3,894,956 issued to James A. Whitt on July 15, 1975 which isincorporated herein by reference; however, it is contemplated that otherlubricant storage wicking materials may be utilized within the scope ofthe invention so as to meet the objects thereof.

Upon the assembly of dynamoelectric machine 43, thrust transferringmeans, such as a thrust collar 137 and thrust plate 139, are axiallylocated on shaft 103 of rotatable assembly 101 and secured thereto so asto be conjointly rotatable therewith. Shaft 103 is inserted or otherwisemoved through bore 51 of bearing 41 into journaling engagementtherewith, and thrust plate 139 is disposed in thrust transferringrelation with inboard end 49 of bearing 41, as discussed in greaterdetail hereinafter. It may be noted that thrust collar 137 which issecured to shaft 103 is disposed in oil slinging relation with respectto a part of lubricant storage wick material 135 in end shield reservoir131. With shaft 103 so inserted through bore 51 of bearing 41, endshield 79 may be secured by suitable means (not shown) to a confrontingend of shell 89 thereby to enclose stator assembly 97 and rotor 105within the shell, and an oil slinger 141 is pressed or otherwise securedonto the shaft adjacent outboard end 47 of the bearing in lubricant oroil slinging relation with a part of lubricant storage wick material 135in end shield reservoir 131. To conclude the assembly of dynamoelectricmachine 43, an end cap or closure member 143 is secured to end shield 79and extends about the exterior end of shaft 103 so as to enclosereservoir 131 of the end shield thereby to oppose the entry of foreignparticles into the end shield reservoir. Thus, with the component partsof dynamoelectric machine 43 so assembled, it may be noted that thegimbaling relation or engagement of opposite gimbaling surfaces 75, 77on bridge 61 of bearing 41 within axial groove 95 of end shield 79, aspreviously mentioned, assures the positioning or self-aligning of thebearing in an attitude which coaxially arranges bore 51 of the bearingin journaling engagement or association with shaft 103 of rotatableassembly 101.

With reference again in general to the drawings and recapitulating atleast in part with respect to the foregoing, dynamoelectric machine 43has end shield 79, rotatable assembly 101, and a bearing device, such asbearing device 41 discussed hereinabove for instance, is associated withthe end shield and adapted for journaling engagement with the rotatableassembly (FIGS. 1-3). A pair of means, such as thrust collar 137 andthrust plate 139 for instance, are conjointly rotatable with rotatableassembly 101 and operable generally for transmitting axially directedthrust of the rotatable assembly occasioned upon the rotation thereof toa part of bearing device 41, such as opposite end or thrust surface 49thereof for instance (FIGS. 1-3, 9 and 10). Transferring means or thrustcollar 137 is secured to rotatable assembly 101 while transferring meansor thrust plate 139 is arranged to engage opposite end 49 of bearingdevice 41 to effect the transfer thereto of the axially directed thrustof the rotatable assembly, and the thrust collar and thrust plateinclude a plurality of means, such as a plurality of gripping fingers145 and a plurality of notches 147 or the like for instance, forreleasable connection therebetween, respectively (FIGS. 3, 9 and 10).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 1-3, 9 and 10,thrust plate 139 may, if desired, be formed from a hardened springsteel, such as AISI 1075 for instance, so as to provide adequate wearresistance when running against bearing device opposite or inboard end49 in thrust transferring engagement therewith, as discussedhereinafter. A pair of generally radially spaced inner and outerperipheral portions or surfaces 149, 151 are provided on thrust plate139 with inner peripheral surface defining as generally axiallyextending opening 153 therethrough which is disposed about shaft 103 ofrotatable assembly 101 when the thrust plate and thrust collar 137 areassembled therewith in dynamoelectric machine 43, and a pair ofgenerally annular opposite faces or surfaces 155, 157 are axially spacedapart on the thrust plate intersecting with the inner and outerperipheral surfaces, respectively, with face 155 being arranged orspaced at least adjacent bearing device end 49 in thrust transferringrelation therewith and in lubricating relation with opposite end 123 offeeder wick 73. Recesses or notches 147 are spaced about outerperipheral surface 151 of thrust plate 139 extending thereinto with suchnotches comprising the aforementioned connection means of the thrustplate. While thrust plate 139 is illustrated herein as being formed ofhardened spring steel and having the particular shape discussed abovefor purposes of disclosure, it is contemplated that other thrust platesformed of other material and/or having other different shapes may beutilized in dynamoelectric machine 43 within the scope of the inventionso as to meet at least some of the objects thereof.

Thrust collar 137 may, if desired, be molded or otherwise formed of aplastic material, such as a nylon or the like for instance, and also ifdesired, a filler material, such as for instance glass fibers or thelike, may be added to such plastic material for strengthening orstiffening purposes. A pair of generally radially spaced inner and outerperipheral portions or surfaces 159, 161 are provided on thrust collar137 with the inner peripheral surface defining a generally axial opening163 therethrough, and the opening is secured in displacement preventingengagement about shaft 103 of rotatable assembly 101 when the thrustcollar is axially located thereon, as mentioned hereinabove. A pair ofgenerally annular faces 165, 167 are generally axially spaced apart onthrust collar 137 being interposed between inner and outer peripheralsurfaces 159, 161 so as to intersect therewith, respectively, and it maybe noted a part of face 165 is relieved at 169 so as to be arranged in apreselected angular relation in order to accommodate any axialdeflection of thrust plate 139 which may occur upon the thrusttransferring engagement thereof with bearing device end 49. Grippingfingers 145 are integrally formed on thrust collar 137 at least adjacentouter peripheral surface 161 thereof and extend generally axially pastface 165 of the thrust collar, the gripping fingers comprising theaforementioned releasable connection means of the thrust collar. It maybe noted that gripping fingers 145 have a preselected degree ofresiliency inherent to the plastic material from which thrust collar 137is formed wherein the gripping fingers are respectively received inresilient gripping or releasable connection with confronting ones ofnotches 147 of thrust plate 139. When thrust collar 137 and thrust plate139 are assembled together with the thrust collar located and secured onshaft 103 of rotatable assembly 101, it may be noted that the engagementof gripping fingers 145 within notches 147 of thrust plate 139 effectsthe conjoint rotation thereof with the thrust collar and rotatableassembly upon the energization of dynamoelectric machine. Further, itmay also be noted that the axial thrust of rotatable assembly 103occasioned upon the rotation thereof is transferred from thrust collar137 to thrust plate 139 through the abutting engagement of opposed faces157, 165 thereof, respectively, and such axial thrust is transferred tobearing device 41 through the running engagement of face 155 on thethrust plate with inboard end 49 of the bearing device.

Referring again to the drawings in general and recapitulating at leastin part with respect to the foregoing, there is illustrated in one formof the invention a method of providing or establishing and operating alubrication and bearing system, indicated generally at 171, for shaft103 of dynamoelectric machine 43 to assure adequate shaft lubricationparticularly during a run-in operation of the dynamoelectric machinewhen it is first energized and with the dynamoelectric machine havingmeans, such as bearing device 41 or the like for instance, forjournaling the shaft (FIGS. 1-3). In this method, shaft 103 islubricated only with a solid lubricant, such as minute graphiteparticles or molysulfide particles or the like for instance (not shown),impregnated or otherwise associated with feeder wick 73 during at leasta part of the run-in operation of dynamoelectric machine 43 when it isfirst energized, and a mixture of a lubricating oil and the solidlubricant is created or otherwise established to effect the lubricationof the shaft by passing or otherwise flowing the lubricating oil fromstorage wick material 135 through the feeder wick in response to therotation of the shaft in bearing device 41 when the dynamoelectricmachine is energized (FIGS. 1 and 2). The mixture is circulated orotherwise flowed through lubrication and bearing system 171 to effectcontinuing lubrication of shaft 103 during the energization ofdynamoelectric machine 43 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 1-3, feeder wick73 may be impregnated with the aforementioned solid lubricant bysuitable means (not shown), and the impregnated feeder wick is assembledwith bearing device 41 in wiping engagement with shaft 103 of rotatableassembly 101 upon the assembly of dynamoelectric machine 43, aspreviously discussed. Thus, when bearing device 41 is assembled with endshield 79, arm part 129 of impregnated feeder wick 73 is communicated orotherwise disposed so as to be associated with reservoir 131 oflubrication and bearing system 171 associated with end shield 79, andstorage wick material 135 which contains lubricating oil is placed inthe reservoir in communication or lubricating oil transfer relation withat least the arm part of the impregnated feeder wick.

When dynamoelectric machine 43 is initially connected across a powersource (not shown) therefor, winding means 99 of stator assembly 97 isexcited, and since rotatable assembly 101 is arranged in magneticcoupling relation with the stator assembly, current induced into therotatable assembly effects the rotation thereof with shaft 103 beingjournaled or otherwise rotatably supported in bearing device 41 oflubrication and bearing system 171 associated with end shield 79. Ofcourse, this rotation of rotatable assembly 101 upon the energization ofdynamoelectric machine 43 creates side or rotational loading force Fr onbearing device 41 which, when vectorially coupled with theaforementioned retaining force exerted on the bearing device by spring33, defines the resultant force between partial toroidal surface 57 ofthe bearing device and partial spherical surface 81 of end shield 79.Further, it is believed that other radial loads may be appliedexternally to shaft 103, such as by belt tension or loading or the likefor instance, and such other radial loads may account for a generallygreater part of the total radial loading force Fr in the bearing device.

When dynamoelectric machine 43 is first energized, as discussed above,during its initial run-in operation, shaft 103 may be initiallylubricated only by the solid lubricant of impregnated feeder wick 73 inits wiping engagement with the shaft during at least a part of suchinitial run-in operation of the dynamoelectric machine 43. The rotationof shaft 103 in its journaled association within bearing device 41effects or otherwise establishes or draws a flow of the lubricating oilfrom storage wick material 135 in reservoir 131 of lubricating andbearing system 171 through impregnated feeder wick 73 mounted in slot 59of the bearing device into bore 51 thereof and into lubricatingcommunication with the shaft in its journaled engagement within thebore. Of course, as the lubricating oil is flowed or otherwise drawnfrom storage wick material 135 in reservoir 131 through impregnatedfeeder wick 73 at least some of the solid lubricant of the impregnatedfeeder wick is released or otherwise transferred therefrom into thelubricating oil flow passing through the feeder wick thereby to form alubricating mixture of the lubricating oil and the solid lubricant.Thus, it may be noted that the solid lubricant carried by impregnatedfeeder wick 73 is present in the wiping engagement thereof with shaft103 to ensure adequate lubrication of the shaft during at least a partof the initial run-in operation of dynamoelectric machine 43, andthereafter, the solid lubricant captured in the flow of lubricating oilfrom storage wick material 135 through the impregnated feeder wickenhances the lubrication of the shaft during continued or subsequentenergization of the dynamoelectric machine. Of course, the lubricatingmixture so formed, as discussed above, flows through bearing device 41between bore 51 thereof and shaft 103 forming a hydrodynamic filmtherebetween and toward slinger 141 on the shaft, and when the flow ofthe lubricating mixture along the shaft is intercepted by the slinger,the conjoint rotation of the slinger with the shaft throws or slings thelubrication mixture generally radially outwardly of the shaft intocontact with a part of storage wick material 135 disposed in reservoir131 generally in radially spaced relation with both the slinger andthrust plate 139, respectively. The lubricating mixture so displacedfrom slinger 141 is captured or recaptured by storage wick material 135,and the captured lubricating mixture is circulated or recirculatedthrough lubrication and bearing system 171 generally in the same manneras discussed above to at least in part effect further release of thesolid lubricant thereinto from impregnated feeder wick 73 as suchlubricating mixture passes therethrough. Of course, circulation orrecirculation of the lubrication mixture through lubrication and bearingsystem 171 is continuous or continued to effect the lubrication of shaft101 in bore 51 of bearing device 41 so long as dynamoelectric machine 43is energized subsequent to the initial run-in operation thereof.Although the impregnation of feeder wick 73 with the solid lubricantspositively assures the lubrication of shaft 103 at least during theinitial run-in operation of dynamoelectric machine 43, as discussedabove, it is believed that lubrication and bearing system 171 in whichsuch solid lubricant was not employed could also be utilized to effectthe lubrication of shaft 103 within the scope of the invention so as tomeet at least some of the objects thereof.

An alternative method of assembling a lubricant impregnable feeder wick173 with a bearing or bearing device 175 is illustrated in FIGS. 11-18with feeder wick 173 and bearing 175, respectively, having generally thesame components operating generally in the same manner in dynamoelectricmachine 43 as the previously described feeder wick 73 and bearing 41with the exceptions discussed hereinafter. While this alternative methodof assembling feeder wick 173 and bearing 175 meets at least some of theobjects set out herein, it is believed that such alternative method hasindigenous objects as will be in part apparent and in part pointed outin the following discussion.

Referring again to the drawings in general with respect to thealternative method and recapitulating at least in part with respect tothe foregoing, bearing 175 includes a generally annular sidewall 177defining bore 51 therein and peripheral portion 55, a slot or slot means179 extending through the sidewall for intersecting with the bore alongthe entire axial extent thereof, and a bridge or bridge means 181 onsidewall 177 for spanning slot 179 (FIGS. 11-18). Wick 173 includes awiping section 183, and a pair of bifurcated sections 185, 187 aredisposed in angular and spaced relation with respect to the wipingsection (FIG. 15). In this method, wick 173 is passed or otherwise movedor inserted at least in part into bore 51 through or past one of ends47, 49 of bearing 175 (FIGS. 16 and 17). Bifurcated sections 185, 187 ofwick 173 are aligned or otherwise arranged or located generally onopposite sides of bridge 181 (FIGS. 17 and 18). At least a part ofbifurcated sections 185, 187 are moved or otherwise inserted or guidedthrough slot 179 so as to extend in part beyond sidewall 177 of bearingbody 45, and bridge 181 is captured or otherwise arranged or associatedin releasable engagement between the bifurcated sections (FIG. 18).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 11-18, wipingsection 183 of wick 173 has a pair of opposite ends or end portions 189,191 thereon, and bifurcated sections 185, 187 include a pair ofspreadable fingers 193, 195 disposed generally in side-by-side relationso as to extend generally perpendicular with respect to the wipingsection. Bifurcated sections 185, 187 respectively define an opening 197through wick 173 which is in part at least adjacent wiping section 183thereof, and a passage 199 arranged between fingers 193, 195 of thebifurcated sections intersects with the opening. When wick 173 isassembled with bearing 175, fingers 193, 195 of the wick are initiallyspread apart or otherwise separated thereby to open passage 199 betweenthe fingers. When passage 199 is so opened, it is aligned or otherwisegenerally positioned with respect to slot 179 adjacent opposite end 49of bearing body 45, and the opened passage is moved into the slot fromor past the opposite end of the bearing body. Upon the passage of wick173 into slot 179, finger 193 and opposite end portion 189 of wipingsection 183 is entered into bore 51 through or past end 49 of bearingbody 45, and finger 195 is passed or otherwise disposed adjacentperipheral surface 55 of the bearing body and at least adjacent bridge181. Finger 193 is thereafter guided or otherwise led from or throughbore 51 of bearing 175 into slot 179 between bridge 181 and opposite end47 of the bearing. With finger 193 so entered into slot 179, wick 173 isturned or otherwise twisted or rotated at least in part in the slotabout bridge 181 to dispose or otherwise arrange or position opening 197in the wick at least in part adjacent or about the bridge and to locatewiping section 183 of the wick in the slot at least adjacent bore 51with opposite end portions 189, 191 of the wiping section extending atleast adjacent or axially beyond opposite ends 47, 49 of the bearing,respectively. Thus, generally as wiping section 183 of wick 173 islocated in slot 179 of bearing 175, fingers 193, 195 of the wick arereturned or otherwise repositioned toward the side-by-side relationthereof at least in part beyond peripheral surface 55 of the bearing soas to generally close passage 199 between the fingers and capture withinopening 197 of the wick in releasable engagement therewith at least apart of bridge 181. While finger 193 and opposite end portion 189 onwiping section 183 of wick 173 have been illustrated and discussedherein as being entered into bore 51 of bearing 175 through or from end49 thereof to initiate the assembling method as discussed hereinabovefor purposes of disclosure, it is, of course, contemplated that suchassembly method could be reversed with finger 95 and opposite endportion 191 of the wick being entered into the bore of the bearingthrough or from end 47 thereof within the scope of the invention so asto meet at least some of the objects thereof.

With reference again in general to the drawings and again recapitulatingat least in part with respect to the foregoing, a wick and bearingassembly 201 is adapted for lubricating and rotatable journalingassociation with shaft 103 of dynamoelectric machine 43 with the wickand bearing assembly comprising wick 173 and bearing 175, as discussedabove (FIG. 19). Bearing 175 includes bearing body 45 having bore 51extending generally axially therethrough and adapted to rotatablyjournal dynamoelectric machine shaft 103 (FIG. 12). Slot 179 extendsthrough bearing body 45 intersecting with bore 51 along a preselectedaxial length thereof, and means, such as bridge 181, on the bearing bodyis passed from the bore for bridging the slot (FIGS. 11-14). Wick 173comprises means, such as wiping section 183, arranged at least in partin slot 179 so as to extend along the preselected axial length of bore51 for wiping in lubricant transfer relation with dynamoelectric machineshaft 103 when it is rotatably journaled in the bore, bifurcated means,such as bifurcated sections 183, 185, for opening in a direction awayfrom the bore includes means, such as opening 197 for instance, forreleasable engagement with at least a part of the bridge or bridgingmeans 181 to oppose displacement movement of the wiping means or wipingsection from the slot into the bore (FIG. 18).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 11-19, slot 179has a pair of opposed sidewalls 203, 205 on bearing body 45 which extendgenerally along the entire axial extent or length thereof so as tointersect with opposite ends 47, 49 of the bearing body and also withbore 51 and at least a part of peripheral portion 55 of bearing 175spanning across opposed side-walls 203, 205 of slot 179 radiallyoutwardly of bore 51 thereby to form a stiffening or strengthening ribor the like on the bearing. It may be noted that a portion of bridge 181extends radially outwardly beyond intermediate surface 67 on peripheralportion 55 of bearing body 45, and preferably the bridge extends axiallyfrom marginal surface 69 at least across toroidal surface 57; however,it is contemplated that the bridge may also extend generally axiallyacross at least a part of end surface 63 of the bearing. A pair ofopposite abutments or gimbaling surfaces 207, 209 are provided on bridge181 and are received in axial groove 95 of end shield 79 so as toprevent rotation of bearing 175 when partial toroidal surface 57 thereofis seated on partial spherical surface 81 on the end shield in thegenerally circular line of engagement 87, as previously discussed.

A wiping surface or portion 221 is provided on wiping section 183 ofwick 173 between opposite end portions 189, 191 thereof, and a pair ofopposite sidewalls 213, 215 on the wiping section and bifurcatedsections 185, 187 of the wick intersect with the opposite end portionsand the wiping surface thereof, respectively. When wick 173 is arrangedin slot 181 of bearing body 173, as discussed above, a part of sidesurfaces 213, 215 on the wick are compressed between or otherwisearranged in abutting engagement with opposed sidewalls 203, 205 of theslot, and opposite end portions 189, 191 of the wick extend generallyaxially away from the slot beyond opposite ends 47, 49 of body 45 ofbearing 175. Of course, opening 197 and passage 199 in wick 173intersect with opposite side surfaces 213, 215 thereof respectively.When wick and bearing assembly 201 is arranged in lubrication andbearing system 171 of dynamoelectric machine 43, as best seen in FIG.19, partial toroidal surface 57 of bearing 175 is seated on partialspherical surface 81 of end shield 79 in the same manner as previouslydiscussed with respect to bearing 41, and the free ends of fingers 193,195 on wick 173 extend beyond peripheral portion 53 of bearing 175 intoreservoir 131 being disposed in lubricating oil transfer relation withstorage wick material 135 therein. Further, opposite end 191 of wick 173is also arranged in rubbing or lubricating oil transfer relation withthrust plate 139, and abutments 207, 209 are adapted for engagement withconfronting parts of axial groove 95 in end shield 79 to preventrotation of bearing 175 therein in response to the rotation of shaft 103in bore 51 of the bearing when dynamoelectric machine 43 is energized.It is also contemplated that wick 173 may be impregnated with theaforementioned solid lubricant particles, if desired, so as to operatein lubrication and bearing system 171 in the same manner as previouslydiscussed with respect to wick 73.

Another alternative method of assembling a lubricant impregnable feederwick 217 with another bearing or bearing device 219 is illustrated inFIGS. 20-31 with feeder wick 217 and bearing 219, respectively, havinggenerally the same component parts and operating generally inlubrication and bearing system 171 of dynamoelectric machine 43generally in the same manner as the previously discussed feeder wick 73and bearing 41 with the exceptions discussed hereinafter. With thisalternative method of assembling feeder wick 217 and bearing 219 meetsat least some of the objects set out herein, it is believed that suchalternative method has indigenous objects as will be in part apparentand in part pointed out in the following discussion.

With reference again to the drawings in regard to the anotheralternative method and recapitulating at least in part with respect tothe foregoing, bearing 219 includes body 45 having opposite ends 47, 49,peripheral portion 55, and bore 51 interposed therebetween,respectively, and a pair of slots or slot means 221, 223 are radiallyspaced apart generally about the bore so as to extend through the bodybetween the peripheral portion, the bore, and the opposite ends thereof,respectively (FIGS. 20-22). Wick 217 includes a body 225 having a pairof wiping sections 227, 229 with a bridge or connecting section 231integrally formed therewith and spanning thereacross (FIG. 24). In thisalternative method, wiping sections 227, 229 of wick body 225 aredisposed, entered or otherwise inserted in or into slots 221, 223 ofbearing body 45, respectively, with bridge section 231 twistablydisplaced between the wiping sections and spanning therebetween across apart of peripheral portion 55 on the bearing body, and forces occasionedby the twisting displacement of the bridge section are imparted to orotherwise effective upon the wiping sections urging at least a partthereof into gripping engagement with a confronting part of the slots soas to at least oppose displacement of the wiping sections from theslots, respectively (FIGS. 25-30).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 20-30, slots 221,223 have a pair of opposed sidewalls 233, 235 and 237, 239 formed onbody 45 of bearing 219 which intersect with peripheral portion 55, bore41 and opposite ends 47, 49 thereof, respectively, and the slots alsohave a pair of opposite end walls 241, 243 interposed between thesidewall pairs and spaced from the opposite ends of the bearing body,respectively. Body 225 of wick 217 has an opening 245 therein betweenwiping sections 227, 229 adjacent bridge section 231 which defines apair of opposed end portions 247, 249 on the wiping sections, andanother pair of opposite end portions 251, 253 are also provided on thewiping sections, respectively. A pair of wiping surfaces 255, 257 areprovided on wiping sections 227, 229 of wick 217 being interposedbetween end portions 247, 251 and 249, 253 thereof, respectively. Inthis alternative method of assembling wick 217 and bearing 219, the wickis moved generally toward peripheral portion 55 of bearing body 45, andwiping section 229 is aligned with slot 223. Thereafter and as best seenin FIGS. 25 and 26, end portion 249 on wiping section 229 of wick 217 isled, guided or otherwise passed past opposite end 49 of bearing body 45between opposed sidewalls 235, 237 of slot 223 with end portion 249 ofthe wick arranged generally in facing relation with end wall 243 of slot223 between sidewall pair 235, 237 thereof. Upon the entry of wick 217into slot 223 of bearing body 45, as discussed above, at least a part ofwiping section 229 on the wick is positioned or otherwise disposed incompression between or in abutting engagement with opposite sidewallpair 235, 237 of slot 223 with wiping surface 257 arranged at leastadjacent bore 51 of the bearing body, and end portion 249 on wipingsection 229 is placed or otherwise associated at least in part generallyin abutment with end wall 243 of slot 223. Thereafter and as best seenin FIGS. 27 and 28, bridge section 231 of wick 217 is twisted orotherwise displaced at least in part with respect to wiping section 229within slot 223 of bearing body 45 while wiping section 227 of the wickis also twisted or otherwise displaced at least in part with respect tothe bridge section, and opposed end portions 247, 249 on wiping sections227, 229 of the wick are spread apart while opposed end portion 249 isat least in part abutted with end wall 243 of the bearing body. Whenbridge section 231 and wiping section 227 of wick 217 are so twisted,wiping section 227 may be aligned or otherwise located with respect toslot 221 in bearing body 45 adjacent peripheral portion 55 thereof. Fromits aligned position adjacent peripheral portion 55 of bearing body 45,wiping section 227 of wick 217 is inserted or otherwise entered intoslot 221 in the bearing body between opposed sidewall pair 233, 235thereof with opposed end portion 247 on wiping section 237 beingarranged or otherwise disposed at least in part in facing relation withend wall 241 of slot 221. With wiping section 227 of wick 217 at leastin part entered into slot 221 of bearing body 45, as discussed above,the wiping section may be pushed or otherwise forced farther into theslot into an assembly position therewith abutting opposed end portion247 on the wiping section with end wall 241 of slot 221. Thus, it may benoted that the twisting displacement of bridge section 231 appliesforces on wiping sections 227, 229 of wick 217 when the wiping sectionsare contained or otherwise captured within slots 221, 223 of bearingbody 45 so as to urge at least a part of each wiping section intogripping engagement with a confronting part of sidewall pairs 235, 237and 239, 241 of slots 221, 223, respectively, in order to opposedisplacement of the wiping sections from the slots. While wiping section229 of wick 217 has been illustrated and discussed herein as beingentered into slot 223 of bearing 219 to initiate the assembling methodas discussed above, it is, of course, contemplated that such assemblingmethod could be reversed with wiping section 227 of the wick being firstentered into slot 221 of the bearing within the scope of the inventionso as to meet at least some of the objects thereof.

Referring again in general to the drawings and recapitulating at leastin part with respect to the foregoing, there is illustrated another wickand bearing assembly 259 for shaft 103 of dynamoelectric machine 43 withthe wick and bearing assembly comprising wick 217 and bearing 219 (FIG.31). Wick 217 includes wiping sections 227, 229 with a displaceableintermediate or mid-section, such as bridge 231, integrally formedtherebetween (FIG. 24). Bearing 219 has opposite ends 47, 49, and means,such as bore 51, extending generally axially through the bearingintersecting with the opposite ends thereof is adapted for journalingdynamoelectric machine shaft 103 (FIG. 20). A pair of means, such asslots 221, 223, are generally radially spaced apart from each otherabout bore 51 and intersect therewith and with opposite end portions 47,49 for receiving in releasable engagement therein wiping sections 227,229 of wick 217 upon the displacement or twisting of bridge section 231thereof with respect to the wiping sections, respectively (FIGS. 27,28). Wick 217 further includes means, such as opening 245 for instance,extending therethrough adjacent bridge section 231 and between wipingsections 227, 229 for bridging or spanning across bearing 219 exteriorlythereof between slots or receiving means 221, 223 when the wipingsections of the wick are releasably engaged therein, respectively (FIGS.29 and 30).

More particularly and with specific reference to FIGS. 3 and 21-31, abridge or bridging means 261 is integrally formed on peripheral portion55 of bearing 219 being generally arranged at least in part between endwalls 241, 243 of slots 221, 223 and including a pair of oppositeabutments or gimbaling surfaces 263, 265 which extend generally axiallyor lengthwise from partial toroidal surface 57 of the bearing toopposite end 47 thereof. Of course, gimbaling surfaces 263, 265 arereceived in rotation preventing and/or gimbaling engagement with groove95 in end shield 79 to effect proper alignment of bearing 219 indynamoelectric machine 43 when shaft 103 is journaled in bore 51 of thebearing, as discussed hereinbefore with respect to bearing 41 and asbest seen in FIG. 31.

From the foregoing, it is now apparent that a novel method of providinga lubrication and bearing system is presented meeting the objects andadvantageous features set out hereinbefore, as well as others, and thatchanges as to the precise arrangements, shapes, connections and detailsof the constructions utilized in the method and also the precise orderof the method steps illustrated herein by way of example for purposes ofdisclosure may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope thereof asdefined by the claims which follow.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:
 1. A method of providing a lubrication system for a shaft ofa dynamoelectric machine to assure adequate shaft lubricationparticularly during a run-in operation of the dynamoelectric machinewhen it is first energized, and the lubrication and bearing systemincluding means for rotatably journaling the shaft, a reservoir, afeeder wick member, and a storage wick material containing a lubricatingoil, the method comprising the steps of:impregnating the feeder wickmember with a solid lubricant; assembling the impregnated feeder wickmember with the journaling means in wiping engagement with the shaft andcommunicating at least a part of the impregnated feeder wick member withthe reservoir of the lubrication system; placing the storage wickmaterial containing the lubricating oil in the reservoir incommunication with the at least a part of the impregnated feeder wickmember; lubricating the shaft only with the solid lubricant of theimpregnated feeder wick member in its wiping engagement with the shaftduring at least a part of the initial run-in operation of thedynamoelectric machine when it is energized for the first time;effecting a flow of the lubricating oil from the storage wick materialthrough the impregnated feeder wicking member in the wiping engagementwith the shaft into lubricating communication therewith in response tothe rotation of the shaft within the journaling means when thedynamoelectric machine is energized; releasing at least some of thesolid lubricant bit-by-bit from the impregnated feeder wick member intothe lubricating oil upon the flow thereof through the impregnated feederwicking member so as to form a lubricating mixture of the solidlubricant with the lubricating oil; circulating the lubricating mixturethrough the lubrication system to at least in part effect furtherrelease of the solid lubricant material into the lubricating mixture;and continuing the lubrication of the shaft in the journaling means withthe lubricating mixture upon further energization of the dynamoelectricmachine subsequent to the initial run-in operation thereof.
 2. A methodof providing a lubrication system for a shaft of a dynamoelectricmachine to assure adequate shaft lubrication particularly during aninitial run-in operation of the dynamoelectric machine when it isenergized for the first time, the dynamoelectric machine having meansfor rotatably journaling the shaft, and the lubrication system includinga reservoir, a feeder wick member, and a storage wick materialcontaining a lubricating oil, the method comprising the stepsof:impregnating the feeder wick member with a solid lubricant andassociating the impregnated feeder wick member with the storage wickmaterial in the reservoir and in wiping engagement with the shaft withinthe journaling means; lubricating the shaft only with the solidlubricant of the impregnated feeder wick member in its wiping engagementwith the shaft during at least a part of the initial run-in operation ofthe dynamoelectric machine when it is energized for the first time andsubsequently transferring the lubricating oil from the storage wickmaterial through the impregnated feeder wick member to the shaft; anddisplacing the solid lubricant from the impregnated feeder wick memberinto the lubricating oil so as to form a lubricating mixture of thesolid lubricant material and the lubricating oil when the lubricatingoil is transferred through the impregnated feeder wick member to theshaft and thereafter flowing the lubricating mixture through thelubricating system to effect continued lubrication of the shaft in thejournaling means.
 3. A method of providing a lubrication and bearingsystem for a shaft of a dynamoelectric machine to assure adequate shaftlubrication particularly during a run-in operation of the dynamoelectricmachine when it is first energized and with the dynamoelectric machinehaving means for journaling the shaft, the method comprising the stepsof:lubricating the shaft only with a solid lubricant of a feeder wickmember impregnated therewith during at least a part of the run-inoperation of the dynamoelectric machine when it is first energized;creating a mixture of a lubricating oil and the solid lubricant toeffect the lubrication of the shaft by passing the lubricating oil froma storage wick material therefor through the feeder wick member inresponse to the rotation of the shaft in the journaling means when thedynamoelectric machine is energized; and circulating the mixture throughthe lubrication and bearing system to effect continuing lubrication ofthe shaft during the energization of the dynamoelectric machine.